Aaron and his sons shall arrange for [the lamps to burn] from evening until morning in God's presence, in the Communion Tent, outside the cloth partition that conceals the [Ark of] Testimony. It is a rule for all time that [this oil shall come] from the Israelites.

protrusions Literally 'horns.' These were hollow boxes, one cubit square, and 5 handbreadths high (18' x 18' x 15') (Zevachim 54a; Yad, Beth HaBechirah 2:8; Maaseh Choshev 6:3). Others say that while this was true of the altar in the Temple, it may not have been true of the altar in the desert (Ralbag), and there the 'horns' may have been round and horn-shaped (Avraham ben HaRambam).

scoops (Rashi, videl in French). These were used to scoop up the ashes.

sacrificial basins To catch the blood of sacrifices and splash it on the altar (Rashi; Rashbam).

flesh pokers To turn over the sacrifices on the altar. They were in the shape of curved hooks (Rashi). Others say that they were like pitchforks (Or HaAfelah) or rakes (Ralbag).

fire pans To carry fire to the inside altar (Rashi). Some say that they were like large spoons (Ralbag). According to others, they were pokers for the ashes on the altar (Rashbam; Midrash HaGadol).

screen This was one cubit wide, covering the space directly above the middle of the altar (Maaseh Choshev 6:5). According to the opinion that the altar was 3 cubits high, it began 1 1/2 cubits (27') above the ground, and extended upward to 2 1/2 cubits above the ground. Some say that it protruded to catch any stray coals falling from the altar (Targum Yonathan on Exodus 27:5).

However, the Septuagint translates mikhbar here as esxapon, a hearth or place for offerings. It was made out of heavy copper netting to provide draft for the fire (cf. Josephus 3:7:8).

decorative border Or 'molding' (Zevachim 62a). According to those who maintained that the altar was 3 cubits high, this would be directly below the top of the altar. According to those who maintain that it was 10 cubits high, it was 3 cubits from the top of the altar.

The Septuagint translates karkov here as pureon, the place where the fire burns. Hence, the verse would then be translated, 'The [copper net] hearth shall be placed under the place where the fire burns.'

pillars These pillars had a cross section one cubit (18') square, and may have been round (Maaseh Choshev 5:4,5). Some say that they were covered with copper (Ibid.; Yalkut Shimoni 425). Others say that they were copper poles (Josephus 3:6:2).

bases Some say that these were imbedded in the ground like spears (Josephus 3:6:2).

pillars Some say that these were like all the others (Maaseh Choshev 5:8). Other sources state that they were covered with silver (Josephus).

50 cubits Literally, '50 x 50 cubits.' Some say that this indicates that the open space in front of the Tabernacle was 50 x 50 cubits (Rashi).

5 cubits 7 1/2 feet. This was the width of the hangings, and the height of the poles holding them (Rashi; Josephus). There is another opinion that they were 5 cubits taller than the tabernacle, and therefore a total of 15 cubits (22 1/2') high (Zevachim 59b, 60a; Maaseh Choshev 5:2; see Exodus 38:14).

stakes The bottoms of the curtains were tied to these stakes with ropes so that they would not blow in the wind (Bareitha 5; Rashi; Rashbam; Chizzkuni). Other sources indicate that ropes were attached to these pegs or stakes, and tied to the upper ends of the beams to prevent them from swaying in the wind (Josephus 3:6:2).

Communion Tent See note on Exodus 25:22, 33:7. Or, 'meeting tent,' since the Israelites would gather around it (Radak, s.v.ya'ad). The Hebrew word mo'ed here can also be related to eduth, since both share the same root, and hence it can be translated, 'Testimony Tent.' Following the usual meaning of the word mo'ed, the expression can also be rendered, 'Festive Tent.'

Testimony See Exodus 25:16. The word eduth which we translated as 'testimony' can also be translated as 'communion' or 'token of communion.' See note, this verse, 'Communion Tent.'

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